Spacecraft Event Time
This page contains the Saturn tour dates for 2012. Dates are listed in Spacecraft Event Time (SCET), which is the time the something happens at the spacecraft based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Click here for details about time conversions.
January 2, 2012 – Orbit 159
- Close flyby (altitude = 29,415 km; 18,278 mi) of moon Titan
January 3, 2012 – Orbit 159
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (580,000 km; 360,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 42,000 km; 26,000 mi) of moon Helene
January 4, 2012 – Orbit 159
- Distant flyby (altitude = 103,000 km; 64,000 mi) of moon Mimas
- Distant flyby (altitude = 118,000 km; 73,000 mi) of moon Janus
- Closest distance (267,000 km; 166,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 159
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (420,000 km; 260,000 mi wrt Saturn)
January 15, 2012 – Orbit 159
- Cassini short engine burn number 306 to stay on course
January 16, 2012 – Orbit 160
- Farthest distance (3,000,000 km; 1,800,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 160
January 27, 2012 – Orbit 160
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (590,000 km; 360,000 mi wrt Saturn)
January 28, 2012 – Orbit 160
- Closest distance (267,000 km; 166,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 160
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (420,000 km; 260,000 mi wrt Saturn)
January 30, 2012 – Orbit 160
- Close flyby (altitude = 31,131 km; 19,344 mi) of moon Titan
February 2, 2012 – Orbit 160
- Cassini short engine burn number 308 to stay on course
February 9, 2012 – Orbit 161
- Farthest distance (2,900,000 km; 1,800,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 161
- Cassini short engine burn number 309 to stay on course
February 15, 2012 – Orbit 161
- Cassini short engine burn number 310 to stay on course
February 16, 2012 – Orbit 161
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (1,970,000 km; 1,220,000 mi wrt Saturn)
February 19, 2012 – Orbit 161
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind the moon Titan
- Close flyby (altitude = 3,803 km; 2,363 mi) of moon Titan
February 20, 2012 – Orbit 161
- Distant flyby (altitude = 91,000 km; 56,000 mi) of moon Polydeuces
- Distant flyby (altitude = 55,000 km; 34,000 mi) of moon Telesto
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (260,000 km; 160,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 47,000 km; 29,000 mi) of moon Enceladus
- Distant flyby (altitude = 69,000 km; 43,000 mi) of moon Pallene
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Closest distance (195,000 km; 121,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 161
- Distant flyby (altitude = 60,000 km; 38,000 mi) of moon Pandora
February 21, 2012 – Orbit 161
- Distant flyby (altitude = 120,000 km; 74,000 mi) of moon Dione
- Distant flyby (altitude = 100,000 km; 62,000 mi) of moon Rhea
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (600,000 km; 370,000 mi wrt Saturn)
February 22, 2012 – Orbit 161
- Cassini short engine burn number 311 to stay on course
February 29, 2012 – Orbit 161
- Farthest distance (2,400,000 km; 1,500,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 162
March 6, 2012 – Orbit 162
- Distant flyby (altitude = 718,000 km; 446,000 mi) of moon Titan
March 7, 2012 – Orbit 162
- Distant flyby (altitude = 104,000 km; 65,000 mi) of moon Hyperion
March 9, 2012 – Orbit 162
- Distant flyby (altitude = 864,000 km; 537,000 mi) of moon Titan
- Distant flyby (altitude = 110,000 km; 68,000 mi) of moon Helene
- Cassini short engine burn number 312 to stay on course
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (260,000 km; 160,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 9,000 km; 6,000 mi) of moon Enceladus
- Closest distance (196,000 km; 122,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 162
- Distant flyby (altitude = 58,000 km; 36,000 mi) of moon Prometheus
- Distant flyby (altitude = 111,000 km; 69,000 mi) of moon Epimetheus
- Distant flyby (altitude = 47,000 km; 29,000 mi) of moon Calypso
March 10, 2012 – Orbit 162
- Distant flyby (altitude = 42,000 km; 26,000 mi) of moon Rhea
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (590,000 km; 370,000 mi wrt Saturn)
March 15, 2012 – Orbit 162
- Cassini short engine burn number 312a to stay on course
March 18, 2012 – Orbit 163
- Farthest distance (2,400,000 km; 1,500,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 163
March 24, 2012 – Orbit 163
- Cassini short engine burn number 313 to stay on course
March 27, 2012 – Orbit 163
- Distant flyby (altitude = 118,000 km; 73,000 mi) of moon Polydeuces
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (260,000 km; 160,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Enceladus
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Enceladus
- Close flyby (altitude = 74 km; 46 mi) of moon Enceladus
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Distant flyby (altitude = 63,000 km; 39,000 mi) of moon Prometheus
- Closest distance (196,000 km; 122,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 163
- Distant flyby (altitude = 44,000 km; 27,000 mi) of moon Janus
- Distant flyby (altitude = 44,000 km; 27,000 mi) of moon Dione
March 28, 2012 – Orbit 163
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (580,000 km; 360,000 mi wrt Saturn)
March 30, 2012 – Orbit 163
- Cassini short engine burn number 314 to stay on course
April 4, 2012 – Orbit 163
- Cassini short engine burn number 315 to stay on course
April 5, 2012 – Orbit 164
- Farthest distance (2,400,000 km; 1,500,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 164
April 11, 2012 – Orbit 164
- Cassini short engine burn number 316 to stay on course
April 14, 2012 – Orbit 164
- Distant flyby (altitude = 105,000 km; 65,000 mi) of moon Helene
- Distant flyby (altitude = 49,000 km; 30,000 mi) of moon Calypso
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (260,000 km; 160,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Enceladus
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Enceladus
- Close flyby (altitude = 74 km; 46 mi) of moon Enceladus
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Distant flyby (altitude = 98,000 km; 61,000 mi) of moon Prometheus
- Distant flyby (altitude = 87,000 km; 54,000 mi) of moon Pandora
- Closest distance (196,000 km; 122,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 164
- Distant flyby (altitude = 995,000 km; 618,000 mi) of moon Titan
- Distant flyby (altitude = 9,000 km; 6,000 mi) of moon Tethys
April 15, 2012 – Orbit 164
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (570,000 km; 360,000 mi wrt Saturn)
April 16, 2012 – Orbit 164
- Distant flyby (altitude = 123,000 km; 77,000 mi) of moon Hyperion
April 17, 2012 – Orbit 164
- Cassini short engine burn number 317 to stay on course
April 23, 2012 – Orbit 165
- Farthest distance (2,400,000 km; 1,500,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 165
- Cassini short engine burn number 318 to stay on course
April 28, 2012 – Orbit 165
- Cassini short engine burn number 319 to stay on course
May 2, 2012 – Orbit 165
- Distant flyby (altitude = 118,000 km; 73,000 mi) of moon Polydeuces
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (260,000 km; 160,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Close flyby (altitude = 74 km; 46 mi) of moon Enceladus
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Closest distance (196,000 km; 122,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 165
- Distant flyby (altitude = 85,000 km; 53,000 mi) of moon Atlas
- Distant flyby (altitude = 8,000 km; 5,000 mi) of moon Dione
- Distant flyby (altitude = 834,000 km; 518,000 mi) of moon Titan
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (570,000 km; 350,000 mi wrt Saturn)
May 5, 2012 – Orbit 165
- Cassini short engine burn number 320 to stay on course
- Distant flyby (altitude = 700,000 km; 435,000 mi) of moon Titan
May 11, 2012 – Orbit 166
- Farthest distance (2,400,000 km; 1,500,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 166
May 13, 2012 – Orbit 166
- Cassini short engine burn number 321 to stay on course
May 18, 2012 – Orbit 166
- Cassini short engine burn number 322 to stay on course
May 19, 2012 – Orbit 166
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (480,000 km; 300,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 54,000 km; 33,000 mi) of moon Tethys
- Distant flyby (altitude = 70,000 km; 44,000 mi) of moon Enceladus
- Distant flyby (altitude = 115,000 km; 72,000 mi) of moon Daphnis
- Distant flyby (altitude = 101,000 km; 63,000 mi) of moon Prometheus
May 20, 2012 – Orbit 166
- Distant flyby (altitude = 64,000 km; 40,000 mi) of moon Pan
- Closest distance (194,000 km; 121,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 166
- Distant flyby (altitude = 2,000 km; 1,000 mi) of moon Methone
- Distant flyby (altitude = 113,000 km; 70,000 mi) of moon Mimas
- Protective measures to ensure safe passage through area of increased ring particle concentration
- Distant flyby (altitude = 75,000 km; 47,000 mi) of moon Pallene
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (290,000 km; 180,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 11,000 km; 7,000 mi) of moon Telesto
May 21, 2012 – Orbit 166
- Close flyby (altitude = 955 km; 593 mi) of moon Titan
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,260,000 km; 780,000 mi wrt Saturn)
May 24, 2012 – Orbit 166
- Cassini short engine burn number 323 to stay on course
May 27, 2012 – Orbit 167
- Farthest distance (2,300,000 km; 1,400,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 167
May 29, 2012 – Orbit 167
- Cassini short engine burn number 324 to stay on course
June 3, 2012 – Orbit 167
- Cassini short engine burn number 325 to stay on course
June 4, 2012 – Orbit 167
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Distant flyby (altitude = 75,000 km; 46,000 mi) of moon Pallene
- Distant flyby (altitude = 100,000 km; 62,000 mi) of moon Prometheus
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (200,000 km; 120,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 50,000 km; 31,000 mi) of moon Pandora
- Closest distance (187,000 km; 116,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 167
- Distant flyby (altitude = 44,000 km; 27,000 mi) of moon Mimas
- Distant flyby (altitude = 76,000 km; 47,000 mi) of moon Daphnis
- Distant flyby (altitude = 100,000 km; 62,000 mi) of moon Atlas
June 6, 2012 – Orbit 167
- Close flyby (altitude = 959 km; 596 mi) of moon Titan
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,230,000 km; 770,000 mi wrt Saturn)
June 9, 2012 – Orbit 167
- Cassini short engine burn number 326 to stay on course
June 16, 2012 – Orbit 168
- Farthest distance (2,900,000 km; 1,800,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 168
June 20, 2012 – Orbit 168
- Cassini short engine burn number 327 to stay on course
June 27, 2012 – Orbit 168
- Distant flyby (altitude = 459,000 km; 285,000 mi) of moon Titan
June 28, 2012 – Orbit 168
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (350,000 km; 220,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 68,000 km; 43,000 mi) of moon Tethys
- Closest distance (305,000 km; 190,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 168
June 30, 2012 – Orbit 168
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,250,000 km; 770,000 mi wrt Saturn)
July 10, 2012 – Orbit 169
- Farthest distance (2,900,000 km; 1,800,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 169
July 20, 2012 – Orbit 169
- Cassini short engine burn number 328 to stay on course
July 22, 2012 – Orbit 169
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (360,000 km; 220,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 111,000 km; 69,000 mi) of moon Helene
- Closest distance (305,000 km; 190,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 169
July 24, 2012 – Orbit 169
- Close flyby (altitude = 1,012 km; 629 mi) of moon Titan
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,230,000 km; 760,000 mi wrt Saturn)
July 27, 2012 – Orbit 169
- Cassini short engine burn number 329 to stay on course
August 2, 2012 – Orbit 170
- Farthest distance (2,600,000 km; 1,600,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 170
August 6, 2012 – Orbit 170
- Cassini short engine burn number 330 to stay on course
August 12, 2012 – Orbit 170
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (410,000 km; 250,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 93,000 km; 58,000 mi) of moon Telesto
- Closest distance (347,000 km; 215,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 170
August 14, 2012 – Orbit 170
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,230,000 km; 770,000 mi wrt Saturn)
August 23, 2012 – Orbit 171
- Farthest distance (2,600,000 km; 1,600,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 171
September 2, 2012 – Orbit 171
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Distant flyby (altitude = 785,000 km; 488,000 mi) of moon Titan
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (410,000 km; 250,000 mi wrt Saturn)
September 3, 2012 – Orbit 171
- Closest distance (347,000 km; 216,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 171
September 5, 2012 – Orbit 171
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,230,000 km; 770,000 mi wrt Saturn)
September 13, 2012 – Orbit 172
- Farthest distance (2,600,000 km; 1,600,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 172
September 23, 2012 – Orbit 172
- Cassini short engine burn number 331 to stay on course
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
September 24, 2012 – Orbit 172
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (410,000 km; 250,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Closest distance (347,000 km; 216,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 172
September 26, 2012 – Orbit 172
- Close flyby (altitude = 956 km; 594 mi) of moon Titan
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,220,000 km; 760,000 mi wrt Saturn)
September 29, 2012 – Orbit 172
- Cassini short engine burn number 332 to stay on course
October 6, 2012 – Orbit 173
- Farthest distance (2,700,000 km; 1,700,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 173
October 9, 2012 – Orbit 173
- Cassini short engine burn number 333 to stay on course
October 16, 2012 – Orbit 173
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
October 17, 2012 – Orbit 173
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (600,000 km; 380,000 mi wrt Saturn)
October 18, 2012 – Orbit 173
- Closest distance (475,000 km; 295,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 173
October 20, 2012 – Orbit 173
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,220,000 km; 760,000 mi wrt Saturn)
October 30, 2012 – Orbit 174
- Farthest distance (2,700,000 km; 1,700,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 174
November 9, 2012 – Orbit 174
- Cassini short engine burn number 334 to stay on course
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
November 10, 2012 – Orbit 174
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (600,000 km; 380,000 mi wrt Saturn)
November 11, 2012 – Orbit 174
- Closest distance (475,000 km; 295,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 174
November 13, 2012 – Orbit 174
- Close flyby (altitude = 973 km; 605 mi) of moon Titan
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,220,000 km; 760,000 mi wrt Saturn)
November 16, 2012 – Orbit 174
- Cassini short engine burn number 335 to stay on course
November 18, 2012 – Orbit 175
- Farthest distance (2,000,000 km; 1,300,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 175
November 21, 2012 – Orbit 175
- Cassini short engine burn number 336 to stay on course
November 25, 2012 – Orbit 175
- Cassini short engine burn number 337 to stay on course
November 26, 2012 – Orbit 175
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (480,000 km; 300,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Closest distance (416,000 km; 258,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 175
November 29, 2012 – Orbit 175
- Close flyby (altitude = 1,014 km; 630 mi) of moon Titan
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,220,000 km; 760,000 mi wrt Saturn)
December 2, 2012 – Orbit 175
- Cassini short engine burn number 338 to stay on course
December 3, 2012 – Orbit 176
- Farthest distance (1,700,000 km; 1,100,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 176
December 9, 2012 – Orbit 176
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (500,000 km; 310,000 mi wrt Saturn)
- Distant flyby (altitude = 907,000 km; 563,000 mi) of moon Titan
- Closest distance (448,000 km; 278,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 176
December 12, 2012 – Orbit 176
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,220,000 km; 760,000 mi wrt Saturn)
December 15, 2012 – Orbit 176
- Distant flyby (altitude = 900,000 km; 559,000 mi) of moon Titan
December 16, 2012 – Orbit 177
- Farthest distance (1,700,000 km; 1,100,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 177
December 22, 2012 – Orbit 177
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Earth as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn
- Cassini views the Sun as it passes behind Saturn’s Rings
- Distant flyby (altitude = 715,000 km; 444,000 mi) of moon Titan
- Distant flyby (altitude = 23,000 km; 14,000 mi) of moon Rhea
- Cassini passage through ring plane [South to North] (500,000 km; 310,000 mi wrt Saturn)
December 23, 2012 – Orbit 177
- Closest distance (448,000 km; 278,000 mi) to Saturn on rev number 177
December 25, 2012 – Orbit 177
- Cassini passage through ring plane [North to South] (1,220,000 km; 760,000 mi wrt Saturn)
December 29, 2012 – Orbit 178
- Farthest distance (1,700,000 km; 1,100,000 mi) from Saturn. Start rev number 178